New free shuttle bus launches between Llanelli town centre and Dafen vaccination centre

A free shuttle bus service from Llanelli town centre to the mass vaccination centre in Dafen will begin on Monday 20 December to help people receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

The shuttle bus, provided by Dolen Teifi, will run between 10.30am to 4.40pm, seven days a week for an initial four-week trial.

People can board the shuttle bus on the hour and at half-past the hour at Church Street, outside Llanelli Magistrates Court. The shuttle bus will leave the mass vaccination centre quarter past and quarter to the hour, returning to the town centre and dropping off passengers opposite Llanelli library.

There will be no service at 12pm from town or at 12.15pm from the mass vaccination centre to allow the drivers a lunch break.

Bethan Lewis, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We need as many people as possible attending their COVID-19 vaccine appointments, or dropping in if eligible, so as a health board we are looking at all available options to help more people travel to our centres.

“In Llanelli we have been able to quickly set up this service with thanks to Dolen Teifi to provide a direct bus between the town centre and the mass vaccination centre in Dafen.

“If the bus is well used, we will look to extend the service after the initial four-week trial.

“This shuttle bus service is one of many additional resources and services being put in place across the Hywel Dda region to help support more people to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.”

Strict COVID-19 safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on this service:

• All passengers and drivers must wear a face covering, unless medically exempt
• A maximum of 14 passengers will allowed per journey
• A screen will be in place between driver and passengers
• Passengers should only use this service if they are fit and well on the day

Drop-ins (no appointment needed) are available at Dafen mass vaccination centre between 11am and 8pm for the following:

• First doses for:
  • anyone aged 12 and over
• Second doses for:
  • Anyone aged 16 and over if it has been at least 8 weeks since their first dose.
  • Those aged 12 to 15 are asked to wait for an appointment or drop-in if it has been more than 12 weeks since the first dose was received 
• Booster doses for:
  • Everyone aged 50 and over who received their second or third dose at least 13 weeks ago
  • Anyone aged 16 and over who received their second or third dose at least 13 weeks ago who either a) works in a care home b) is a frontline health or social care worker c) is an unpaid carer d) lives with someone who is immunosuppressed or e) is considered at risk of COVID-19 infection (priority groups 4 and 6)

(Lead image: Dolen Teifi)